Sleep Study...anyone ever done one?

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I, too, had to address the red glowing lights when I was speaking.

I found that the techs really enjoy it if you have to get up if you address the red lights by saying "Open the pod bay doors, HAL."

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

It was REALLY hard to sleep with all those wires on you! At the end of the study, the nurse said
"gee, I didn't think you would sleep at all! Good thing you dozed off, because otherwise this would have been a waste of time!" I thought so too...I sure would not have wanted to go through that again! But I sleep really well with my CPAP machine!

 

[irisbud]

My BF is supposed to do one of these and has been putting it off because he thinks that it will be a giant waste of his time, and I can't help but secretly agree, even though I have been encouraging him to follow his Doctor's orders. He is so weird about sleeping, all these little "rules" he has to follow. I don't think there is anyway he could sleep in a manner like that which has been described. Also, if it is above 65 degrees and there are less than four pillows for him to use, he isn't sleeping... And sleep on his back? Forget it!

 

[hiwaygal]

In many cases they try to keep the rooms cool (people tend to sleep better in cool rooms). I was not told I had to sleep on my back. I even managed to pull some wires off during the night and the tech just came in and reattached them with no problem.

They don't need you to sleep long. The study usually starts around 10 or so and you leave between 5 and 6am. If you manage to "sleep" a few hours it's usually enough for them to determine any sleep problems.

I can understand the hesitation anyone has about doing the study but it's really making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Sleep deprivation is a form of torture and can cause an amazing number of seemingly unrelated health problems (diabetes, heart attacks, etc.). I never knew I had a problem (most people don't). If you think there might be a problem or if a doctor is recommending a study, why torture yourself? It's one night (two if they want to test sleep apnea equipment) and can answer so many health questions. There is no pain and only some minor inconveniences.

Take a look at the NIH information on sleep deprivation: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm

Or do a google search on sleep deprivation and see what kind of medical problems can arise. It's such a simple test that can have immeasurable health benefits.

 

[Robmom]

I've never done it, but one time when we had to have my DD studied because of a one-time seizure she had. I overheard the technician speaking to someone on the phone about their sleep study appointment. Apparently here they don't do it at night. They do it in the morning. How dumb is that? She told the person to stay up all night so that when they arrived in the morning, they would be sleepy. First of all, I wouldn't be able to stay up all night, and second, I wouldn't be able to sleep during the day like that.

 

[goofyforlife]

There is no pain and only some minor inconveniences.

Actually it was painful... My back hurts when i sleep on my back and during my first study they did force me to stay on my back.

Then i had pain in my shoulder. Here they had the wire connection unit up under the sheet on that side so i was laying on wires....

I was groggy and miserable the next day after both of mine...

Luckily they do testing 7 days a week around here so i scheduled the 2nd "no-sleep" test for a Saturday and then showered at home and crawled into my bed Sunday morning and slept all day. (to make up for the no-sleep i got that night.

And they do need at least 2 hours of study to look at.

If they don't have 2 hrs... they can't quantify the stops breathing to determine Apnea.